Abstract: The invention relates to the sulfonyl esters of the general formula R1—COO—SO2—Z—R2, wherein Z, R1 and R2 are defined as in claim 1. The invention further relates to the use of one of the inventive compounds for modifying the kinetics of the enzymatic effect of catalase. A method for measuring a concentration in living and/or active microorganisms in a liquid sample (3) by means of the development of oxygen from hydrogen peroxide is also based on the above-mentioned modification. An inventive compound is admixed in a container (1) to the sample, said compound inactivates the enzymatic effect of endogenous catalase without substanially inactivating the enzymatic effect of the intracellular catalase of microorganisms. Hydrogen peroxide is added and immediately afterwards the pressure present in the sample container is briefly equalized with the atmosphere, the container is closed in a gas-tight manner (2) during a predetermined reaction time and the pressure in the container is measured (9, 10, 11).

Abstract: Thumb and finger guide structure for a computer mouse includes two guides, one located on either side of the mouse. One guide is designed to receive the user's thumb and the other is designed to receive the user's little finger. The structure of the present invention positions the user's thumb and little finger with the user's hand in an open relaxed position. The structure allows the mouse to be moved and lifted without gripping its lateral sides. According to one embodiment, the guide structure of the present invention is retro-fitted to an existing mouse by the use of a peel and stick adhesive. According to another embodiment, a computer mouse is provided with the guide structure integral to it and for replacing an existing mouse.

Abstract: To steer a beam in an optical switch, a collimator joined to an optical fiber along a Z-axis is mounted in a gimbal for rocking movement about X and Y axes. A piezoelectric actuator extends along the Z-axis and is symmetric about the fiber. An angular position sensor on the collimator provides feedback for use in steering the beam.

Abstract: A dual-beam lantern-flashlight capable of emitting two light beams, including an elongated flashlight body having a front end and a rear end, a headlamp mounted in the front end of the body and disposed to emit a beam of light in a forward direction from the front end, a lantern body coupled to the flashlight body, the lantern body having a bottom end, and a lantern lamp mounted in said bottom end of said lantern body and disposed to emit a beam of light generally downwardly and normally relative to the beam of light emitted by said headlamp. The headlamp and lantern lamp when in use together create a single large area of continuous light around the feet and forward of the user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a double heating-type pot. The pot includes air inlet holes at an upper portion thereof to introduce heated air into the pot. Further, a guide unit is provided on an outer surface of the pot to efficiently guide heated air to the air inlet holes. Thus, the present invention allows heat conducted through the bottom of the pot and convection heat transferred through the air inlet holes to eliminate a temperature difference between upper and lower portions in the pot, therefore reducing cooking time and evenly heating food.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electromagnetic apparatus for automatically and selectively supplying and shutting off fluid. The electromagnetic apparatus includes a frame unit, a through unit, a coil unit, a rotor, a casing, a shaft and a casing. The frame unit is coaxially contained in the piping or a housing forming the flow path of a fluid. The through unit has one or more through holes to form one or more flow paths through the frame unit. The coil unit is placed in the frame unit to generate an electromagnetic force. The rotor is placed to face the frame unit to selectively open and close the flow paths through interaction with the electromagnetic force generated in the coil unit. The shaft supports the rotor, and a casing supports the frame unit and forms the appearance of the apparatus.

Abstract: Vehicle repair clamps for grasping curved or non-linear surfaces. One embodiment comprises a hinged clamp comprising at least one jaw formed of a plurality of jaw sections that are hingedly connected and that may be adjusted to grasp surfaces of different angles. The clamp segments may be straight or arcuate. These embodiments facilitate attachment of the hinged jaws to portions of a damaged vehicle which form different angles and/or have various radii of curvature. Vehicle repair clamps comprising jaws with non-linear clamping portions.

Abstract: A modular system for the formation of a prosthesis for the replacement of a long bone in a human or animal body. The system provides a prosthesis having a proximal or distal end component such as a trochanter or condylar head, forming one component of a prosthetic joint, a shaft for assembly with a distal or proximal end component and a stem for engagement in a resected bone. The systems allows the assembly of a custom fitted prosthesis for a limited range of components.

Abstract: Disclosed is an environmentally-friendly training hand grenade and a method of manufacturing the same. The training hand grenade is advantageous in that it is not necessary to recover fragments, generated by the explosion of the training hand grenade after use, because a bomb body of the training hand grenade is made of naturally degradable mineral matters, such as barite, tungsten, silica, and yellow earth, thereby many soldiers may be trained for a relatively short time using the training hand grenade. Furthermore, the training hand grenade is made of environmentally-friendly materials, and thus, its use is conducted without causing pollution. In addition, the training hand grenade is made of the mineral matters, thereby ensuring high explosiveness and explosive sound effect when the training hand grenade is exploded, and preventing soldiers from being injured by the fragments in use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing 9-[4-acetoxy-3-(acetoxymethyl)but-1-yl]-2-aminopurine (called Famciclovir), a drug of purine derivatives having antiviral activity. This process comprises reacting 2-aminopurine with 2-acetoxymethyl-4-bromobut-1-yl-acetate in the presence of thallium (I) ethoxide to give the desired compound. According to this process, the desired compound can be prepared in very high selectivity and purity under mild reaction conditions.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a laminate of interleaved layers of electrode plates and piezoelectric material; wherein an upper region (in use) of electrode plates is adapted when energized to effect deflections in up and down directions; a lower region of electrode plates is adapted when energized to effect deflections in up and down directions; and one or more further regions of electrode plates are adapted when energized to effect deflections in left and right directions.

Abstract: An electronic lock-out tag-out system comprising a transmitter lock and a portable receiver. One or more switches of the transmitter lock is connected to a utility box or the like and are actuated when the transmitter lock is moved or removed. When the switch is activated, an alarm is sounded in the transmitter lock and a signal is transmitted to the receiver to sound an alarm in the receiver.

Abstract: For the purposes of increasing pilot visibility and comfort in small planes during winter conditions, this invention provides an auxiliary heating system. Prior to actual flight, that is to say that during start up, warm up, taxi and takeoff, a small aircraft does not intake sufficient outside air to warm the cabin and defrost the windshield. The normal heating system on a small plane depends upon ram air when the plane is flying at normal speeds. This invention consists of a simple replacement part, mainly an electric blower which sucks in air from outside the aircraft and forces it through the muffler shroud and thereafter into the cabin and defroster ducts. The system is operated by a switch located on the control panel. Once the aircraft is in flight, the system may be shut off as there is sufficient ram air to heat the small aircraft.

Abstract: An enhanced pumped storage power system. More particularly, the invention is a regenerative power system that utilizes the gravitational forces of downward movement of large quantities of water to convert same to electrical energy. In the preferred mode of implementation, the system utilizes a man-made lake at a first level of elevation. Though higher altitudes can be effective, the lake need only be approximately twenty to thirty feet in elevation. The lake, which may exceed one hundred acres in size, may be elevated above and adjacent a natural body of water, such as seawater at a coastline. As such, sandy terrain associated with the region facilitates initial construction of the system. An underground generator is utilized for the power conversion and pumping of the water back to the upper reservoir during times of low energy demand, allowing for significant noise reduction.

Abstract: A veterinary delivery system in the form of a pliable film comprising at least one binder, at least one lubricant, at least one solvent for the binder and lubricant, and an effective amount of at least one effective agent. According to one embodiment, a flavorant is included in a pliable hydrophilic film in order to enhance oral acceptability by the animal. In other embodiments, the films preferably have a moisture content of about 2–15%, preferably about 3–7% by weight. The hydrophilic films most preferably have at least one effective agent distributed homogeneously throughout the film.

Abstract: An aircraft trash management system including a, trash bag, a trash compactor, a modified bilge drain valve and an improved control valve assembly. The trash bag has a porous bottom and non-porous sides. The bottom of the trash bag is impregnated with a non-leaching antibacterial and a leaching enzyme. The trash compactor has two chambers separated by a movable wall. One chamber is the compacting chamber and is sealable from ambient cabin pressure and the other chamber is always open to cabin pressure. The bottom of the compacting chamber is provided with an upper drain and a lower drain. The modified bilge valve provides a fluid path to the atmosphere outside the aircraft. The inventor also relates to a central valve assembly for simultaneous compacting and draining.